New Rochelle NY vs Rochester NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
New Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Rochelle
48,198
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,198 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 66.1% | 41.5% | New Rochelle + |
| Black | 17.8% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
New Rochelle +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
Rochester
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
New Rochelle +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,535 | $46,628 | New Rochelle + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,033 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 7.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.7% | 26.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $920,484 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 37.2% | New Rochelle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
Rochester
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
Rochester
1736
Tie
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 38.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.3% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 18.8% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.9% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.6% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Rochelle
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
Rochester
20.6 min
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 20.6 min | New Rochelle + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Rochelle leads in median household income at $48,535, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New Rochelle. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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